My mum was a truly beautiful person. Her pale blue eyes were a window in to her calm, wise soul and her heart was full of love for the world and everything in it. Mum had a passion for art and taught it her whole life. From lecturing at teacher's college, introducing art to primary school students and in her later years helping out at the local senior citizens painting class. She loved to paint and the walls of her house were covered in her oil paintings. Mum was introduced to Prince's purple world through me. She had no choice as I was obsessed. She was not a great fan of his music, but in her words she would say, 'I love that everything he does is dramatic!'. I pestered Mum for years to paint a portrait of Prince for me, but it never happened. When Mum was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 she jokingly said to me, 'Well, I had better hurry up and do that painting of Prince!'. We looked through many photos until Mum found one she wanted to paint and of course it was the dramatic Prince she liked. I bought the canvas and Mum started what would become her last painting. Over the next few years this stoic and remarkable woman, through several operations and many chemotherapy sessions, continued to live her life as best she could. Still smiled. Still kept her unshakable love and warmth for everyone around her. Still helped out at the senior citizens painting class when she was feeling strong enough and at home Mum still worked on the painting of Prince. Eventually as the cancer took over and Mum became weaker the time came when she could no longer paint. Mum told me how disappointed she was that she could not finish the painting, but it was 80% done. On March 19 2016 Mum made her journey to heaven. One month and two days later Prince joined her there. It makes me smile to think their paths may have crossed up there. A few months after Mum passed away, my sister and I thought it would be nice to take the painting to her senior citizens class and ask them if they would like to finish it for her. They were so happy at the idea and could not wait to start. A few weeks later we went back to collect the finished painting. It was an emotional moment for everyone. All those things are wrapped up in this painting.
